The Olneyville times. (Olneyville [Providence, R.I.]) 1887-1917, 1887-10-15

40 cags tkN b3Fo hlLnl tAeh az sSAlA
,rva!y live! How good God 10 10 mel"
sho added. ievyogtly, the tears fal..ag
again, bur .h!s t!ms Ike so!t. summer
rain,
"And my baby. Clar!cs. will he 1.-Two
alsO?' Sho almost held her breath
awaiting tho reply. Clarice did not
answer. only passed her arm around
Eva and drew her head against her
shoulder.
"Clarice, tell me-" Eva pleaded. "is
he dead?"
"Ycs. dear" Claiicc said gently. her
tears falling in sympathy for the be-
rcayed mother. "he was dead before
the doctors came; he must have died
instantly
"No. died in my arms" Eva said
with sob. II remember he gave one
gasp as | took him up. Oh. my baby!
my babyr and she broke forth again
into piteous sobs. and, rising, started
10 leave the room.
zone moment. please" Clarice sand.
again OBTAINING her; ''let me 90 first.
He was asleep few moments ago. and
the doctor left orders that he must not
be disturbed
She left the room. aud in few mo-
mcnts returnoA and motioned Eva TO
follow her
"Be as calm ~ possible. dear"
Clarice whispered as she left her. A.
the door closed softly behind her friend.
Eva stood still a moment ut her hus-
bands bedside. His head was well
covered with bandagcs concealing the
ugly wounds beneath, the eyes were
closed and his face wore the pallor Of
her. surely he would die. il not already
dead; and every uukind word she had
spoken rose up before her like avcng-
ing spirits. How all the old love re-
viycd with tcn-fold power! He had
never. even in their happicst days.
seemed 50 incxprrssibly dear as At that
moment, Oh. il God would but spare
him, lifetime of devotion should
atone for all past unkindness.
a quick sob broke from her. notwith-
standing her efforts OF self-control.
Richards eyes uncloscd. and with
faint smile he held out his hand to her
Dropping on her knees by the side of
the bed she laid her head beside his
on the pillow while his arm was passed
fondly about her.
80 Dick, forgive me-" she sobbed.
forgetting all her caution. IL shall
never forgive myself I'll never speak
an uDkind word again, never, never.
while | liver The sentences were
broken and disjointed. uttered amidst
sobS and tears
There. there. dear" Richard said
gently as he drew her face closer to
him and kissed her tenderly. Then,
with a noble generosity, which seems II
part Of some mems natures, he added
kindly. IL was To blame; should have
been more thoughtful; ought to have
taken you out instead of going of
alone for my own pleasure. We will
begin anew. now
He stopped, unable to finish the SEN
tcnoo,
"Ycs, know! Harry Is dead. Oh.
my baby! my baby" she sobbed.
Richards lips quivercd and the heavy
cyclds were pressed upon tho pallid
checks to ropress the starting toars,
He drew her closely toward him and
tendcrly pressed her tcar-stained cheek
against his own in mute sympathy, but
could utter no word.
How very, very dear his beautiful
boy had been TO the young father, none
but God might know.
For long time they were very quiet.
Eva's sobs alone breaking the stiffness.
until at last those ceased and Richard
said softly:
"Evyic ~
"Ycs, dcar"
How many long months had passed
since she had heard the dear old pot
name from his lips how many more
since she had spoken one endearing
word To him The sound of them now
carried them back 10 the old, happy
days before harsh words had been
spoken or unkind feelings held sway.
"What de- you wish. dcar?" Eva
asked. waiting a moment for her hus.
bands request.
Harry" i his lips tomblcd - he
could not 90 on,
"lcs. dear" Eva said softly, divin-
ing intuitively. in her ncw-found sym
pathy with her husband. the wish h.
could not express.
Rising quietly She passed out Of the
room. In II few minutes Ssio returned.
bearing the dead babe in her arms.
All the violence of her grief seemed
hushed into stiffness in the presence of
death
Seating herself on the side ot the bed.
she turned her precious burden tender
ly until the fathers eye could rest on
its face. his hands touch it without
change of position.
Never in the full flash of health and
iufant,lc beauty had their boy looked
more lovely than now. rs, robed for the
grave. ho lay in his mothcr's arms.
The fatal wound hnd boon deity cpps
sealed. and the locks of hair fell over
the white forehead in soft. curling rings
tho long liShcs of the blue-veinel
lids lay lightly on the fair, round cheek
the sweet, curved lips just parted with
a smile. and the pretty dimpled hands
were crossed ON the lifolcss breast,